Chemicals vs. Nature: The Battle for Clean Water (Spoiler: The Nature Won)

This image represents how our own pollution returns in the form of contaminated water and enters our bodies. The glass of water, which is supposed to be purified, is not free of contaminants, and this will affect the individual’s health in the future. HOW TO AVOID UNSAFE DRINKING WATER. (n.d.). https://images.app.goo.gl/P3mvJfq6cfVYqSsy5

Water is a fundamental element for life and for the execution of human activities such as agriculture and industrialization. Currently the world is facing a shortage of fresh water produced by the exponential growth of the population and the increase in pollution. This affects health since contaminated water can spread diseases such as cholera and diarrhea (Koul et al. 2022) Water treatment is necessary to prevent this diseases and to reduce environmental pollution. During this purification process, coagulants are used to allow unwanted particles to agglomerate and be removed by filtration. This article exposes how the use of chemical coagulants in water treatments negatively impacts the ecosystem. Chemical coagulants are toxic and pose a high risk to public health and the environment. When in contact with water they can leave heavy metal waste and alter the ph of the treated water (Koul et al. 2022) Therefore, the use of natural coagulants is suggested to replace chemical coagulants. Natural coagulants are made from plants, animals or microbial origin, for this reason they do not pollute and do not generate hazardous waste. They are also a more economical and sustainable alternative for practices such as water purification (Koul et al. 2022) Several studies were conducted to compare the efficiency and benefits of natural coagulants over chemical coagulants. The ability to agglomerate unwanted particles and reduce turbidity in water samples was analyzed. The results indicated that natural coagulants are as effective as chemical coagulants. However, chemical coagulants are generally more efficient for treating larger quantities of contaminants due to their higher coagulation rates. Despite this, they pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems because of their toxicity and potential to generate harmful waste. In contrast, natural coagulants have biodegradable properties and natural compounds, which do not adversely affect aquatic environments (Koul et al. 2022). This finding emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sustainable practices in water treatment. It is essential to balance efficiency with environmental safety and affordability.

Bhupendra K, Nargis B, Mustapha A, Meerambika M, Ananta P, Dhananjay Y.  2023. Application of Natural Coagulants in Water Treatment: A Sustainable Alternative to Chemicals. Water 14(22):[28 p.].